GCU adds master’s degree in cybersecurity

GCU is offering a new Master of Science in Cybersecurity online degree.

By Laurie Merrill
GCU News Bureau

Grand Canyon University is offering a new degree to help combat cyber attacks like the WannaCry ransomware worm that recently raced across the web and infested systems in 150 countries.

The new Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, scheduled to launch in August, is intended to produce cyber experts who can detect and prevent attacks that are hurtling along the internet with increasing speed.

Dr. Roméo Farinacci is the Information Technology & Cybersecurity program director for GCU’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology.

It’s no longer a case of when criminals will commit another act of espionage, fraud or destruction — or of how far-ranging or significant the damage could be.

It’s now a race for cyberspace, a battle to protect vital and sensitive information before it is attacked, stolen, leaked or destroyed, Farinacci said.

The rise in cyber threats is growing as quickly as the job market’s demand for cyber experts. Job openings have topped several hundred thousand in the U.S. and more than 1 million worldwide, Farinacci said. Arizona is among states with the largest demand for such skills.

One of GCU’s top goals is to help fill the void by educating graduates who can quickly occupy the empty roles, which include such titles as corporate information security officer, senior security architect, information security analyst and more.

By collaborating with industry and college representatives, GCU has developed a program that aligns with the needs of the nation, Farinacci said.

“We have a program that covers the breadth of cybersecurity, with enough hands-on and detail to effectively prepare students for what the nation needs to change the tide in the cyber war,” he said.

The master’s degree program, a 34-credit online degree, prepares students for cyber warfare and cyber defense.